Instant concrete system

ABSTRACT

An instant concrete system for including in one portable package all the necessary ingredients and corresponding mixing device for making concrete. The instant concrete system includes a premeasured amount of concrete mix in a container. Included in the container is a bag containing a premeasured amount of water. The inside of the container is shaped with curved projections. The container includes a removable handle that can be used to open the water bag. A lid securely fits to the container. The portable instant concrete system can be transported to a remote work site, the bag of water opened and emptied into the concrete mix. The lid replaced on the container and the container moved back and forth to mix the ingredients. The curved projections internal to the container assist in making a concrete of the correct proportions and consistency.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable to this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates generally to concrete ingredientspackaging and more specifically it relates to an instant concrete systemfor including in one portable package all the necessary ingredients andcorresponding mixing device for making concrete.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] Concrete has been in use for years. Typically, concrete is madeby combining cement, stone and water in a mixing container or device.The dry ingredients are mixed in appropriate proportions and then wateris added. Mixing of appropriate amounts of each ingredient will resultin a concrete of a uniform consistency which can be applied and thatwill harden into the desired product. Typically, the cement ingredientis packaged in large paper containers that can easily break with thecorresponding loss of product. Mixing is usually done in a cement mixeror wheelbarrow or some similar large liquid holding container. Mixingthe ingredients usually includes the use of a shovel or similar tool.For remote location the availability of the water ingredient may belimited and difficult to transport to the location where the concrete isto be mixed.

[0007] The current systems for making concrete usually includetransporting to the job site bulky packages that include far moreconcrete ingredients than are necessary for the job. A source of wateris located and transported to the mixing location. Often the concrete isnot mixed in the correct proportions which results in a poorer qualityconcrete. The current systems are labor intensive, wasteful and oftenresult in a concrete with poor hardening properties.

[0008] Examples of patented devices which may be related to the presentinvention include U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,984 to Weaver et al.; U.S. Pat.No. 3,548,562 to Schwartzman; U.S. Pat. No. 3,015,429 to Morici; U.S.Pat. No. 5,492,219 to Stupar; U.S. Pat. 4,557,377 to Maloney; U.S. Pat.No. 2,800,269 to Smith; U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,004 to Isono et al.; U.S.Pat. No. 5,727,679 to Newarski; U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,576 to Leoncavallo;and U.S. Pat. No. 364,341 to Regenscheid et al.

[0009] While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose towhich they address, they are not as suitable for including in oneportable package all the necessary ingredients and a correspondingmixing device for making concrete.

[0010] Current systems for making concrete do not include water in thesystems, but water is often not readily available in remote locations.Typically, current systems are not designed for preparing a smallquantity of concrete and additional tools for mixing are needed to bebrought to the work site. Rudimentary methods used at remote work siteslead to product waste and poor measurement of correct ingredientproportions resulting in a poorer quality concrete mixture.

[0011] In these respects, the instant concrete system according to thepresent invention substantially departs from the conventional conceptsand designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatusprimarily developed for the purpose of including in one portable packageall the necessary ingredients and a corresponding mixing device formaking concrete

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the knowntypes of concrete ingredients packaging now present in the prior art,the present invention provides a new instant concrete systemconstruction wherein the same can be utilized for including in oneportable package all the necessary ingredients and corresponding mixingdevice for making concrete

[0013] The general purpose of the present invention, which will bedescribed subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new instantconcrete system that has many of the advantages of the concreteingredients packaging mentioned heretofore and many novel features thatresult in a new instant concrete system which is not anticipated,rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior artconcrete ingredients packaging, either alone or in any combinationthereof.

[0014] To attain this, the present invention generally comprises apremeasured amount of concrete mix in a container. Included in thecontainer is a bag containing a premeasured amount of water. The insideof the container is shaped with curved projections. The containerincludes a removable handle that can be used to puncture the water bag.A lid securely fits to the container. The portable instant concretesystem can be transported to a remote work site, the bag of water openedand emptied into the concrete mix. The lid replaced on the container andthe container moved back and forth to mix the ingredients. The curvedprojections internal to the container assist in making a concrete of thecorrect consistency.

[0015] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofmay be better understood, and in order that the present contribution tothe art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of theinvention that will be described hereinafter and that will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0016] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not beregarded as limiting.

[0017] A primary object of the present invention is to provide aninstant concrete system that will overcome the shortcomings of the priorart devices.

[0018] A second object is to provide an instant concrete system forincluding in one portable package all the necessary ingredients andcorresponding mixing device for making concrete.

[0019] Another object is to provide an instant concrete system that iseasy to use.

[0020] An additional object is to provide an instant concrete systemthat can be designed in a variety of sizes.

[0021] A further object is to provide an instant concrete system that islabor and time saving.

[0022] Another object is to provide an instant concrete system that iseconomical.

[0023] An additional object is to provide an instant concrete systemthat provides a clean work site without requiring tools and mixingdevices to clean.

[0024] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeobvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects andadvantages are within the scope of the present invention.

[0025] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, thisinvention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawingsare illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specificconstruction illustrated and described within the scope of the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of thepresent invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomesbetter understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0027]FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention withthe lid detached.

[0028]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the present invention along line 2-2of FIG. 1.

[0029]FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 4 is an upper perspective of the handle and bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similarreference characters denote similar elements throughout the severalviews, FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate a instant concrete system 10, whichcomprises a premeasured amount of concrete mix 30 in a container 20.Included in the container 20 is a bag 40 containing a premeasured amountof water 42. The inside of the container 20 is shaped with curvedprojections 26. The container 20 includes a handle 24 that is removableand can be used to open the bag 40. A lid 22 securely fits to thecontainer 20. The portable instant concrete system 10 can be transportedto a remote work site, the bag 40 of water 42 opened and emptied intothe concrete mix 30. The lid 22 can be replaced on the container 20 andthe container 20 moved back and forth to mix the water 42 and concretemix 30. The projections 26 are internal to the container 20 andfacilitates making the concrete of the correct consistency.

[0032] The container 20 is preferably made from material that is strongenough to hold the cement mix 30 and water 42, but lightweight enough tobe easily transportable. The container 20 is preferably of a hollowtapered cylindrical shape and should be designed to hold a fluid withoutleaking. The container 20 may be in a variety of different sizescorresponding to variety of different amounts of concrete mix 30 andwater 42. A lid 22 is attachable to the top end of the container 20. Thelid 22 should be designed to fit securely to the container 20 so that noleaking of ingredients is possible when the container 20 is turned onits side and moved back and forth. However, it can be appreciated by oneskilled in the art that other embodiments of the present invention mayinclude containers 20 made in various shapes.

[0033] The container 20 is preferably designed with a projection 26, ora plurality of projections 26, along the inside wall of the container20. The projections 26 should be made of a sufficient thickness towithstand the pressures exerted on the projections 26 when thecontainers is being moved to mix the concrete mix 30 and water 42. Theprojections 26 may run vertically from the top to the bottom of thecontainer 20 and extend inwardly towards the center vertical axis of thecontainer 20. As best seen in FIG. 1, these projections 26 may be of acurved shape. The shape of the curve should be designed to facilitatemixing the concrete mix 30 and water 42 when the container is rolled onits side. However it can be appreciated by one in the art that otherembodiments of the present invention could include projections 26 ofvarious shapes and sizes or not include any projections 26.

[0034] Affixed to external walls of the container 20 are two brackets28. The brackets 28 are preferably constructed of material strong enoughto maintain their shape while the container 20 is being carried by thehandle 24. The brackets 28 are designed to allow the handle 24 to bedetachable from the brackets 28. As seen in FIG. 4, this detachabilitymay be accomplished by including an aperture 29, that is semi-opened atthe bottom, designed into the bracket 28. The handle 24 preferably snapsinto the brackets 28 to securely hold the handle 24 to the container 20.However, it can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that otherembodiments of the present invention could include other methods foraffixing the handle 24 to the container 20.

[0035] As seen in FIGS. 1 through 4, the handle 24 is preferablydesigned to be attachable to the external wall of the container 20. Thehandle 24 may be constructed with material of a sufficient strength tomaintain its shape when the container 20 is lifted by the handle 24. Theend of the handle 24 may be designed to facilitate puncturing the bag40.

[0036] A premeasured amount of concrete mix 30 is preferably located onthe bottom of the container. The amount of concrete mix 30 shouldcorrespond to the size of the container 20 to maximize the amount ofconcrete capable of being made in the instant concrete system 10. Theconcrete mix 30 is preferably a commercially available concrete mix 30capable of making concrete with simply the addition of some amount ofwater 42.

[0037] As best seen in FIG. 2, atop the concrete mix 30 is a bag 40. Thebag 40 should be constructed of material capable of holding a liquid andnot rupturing from the movement of the instant concrete system 10.However, the bag 40 should be capable of being punctured by the handle24. The bag 40 should be capable of holding a premeasured volume ofwater 42. The volume of water 42 should correspond to the amount ofconcrete mix 30 in the container 20. The unique design of the instantconcrete system 10 allows for the exact proportions of concrete mix 30to water 42 to be included in the instant concrete system 10.

[0038] In use, the instant concrete system 10 is carried to the worksite and placed on the ground. The lid 22 is removed from the container20 and the handle 24 is detached from the brackets 28. The end of thehandle 24 is used to puncture the bag 40 and the water 42 is poured ontothe concrete mix 30. The bag 40 is removed and discarded. The lid 22 isplaced securely on the container 20 and the container is moved to mixthe concrete mix 30 and the water 42. The projections 26 assist incombining the concrete mix 30 and water 42. The handle 24 is placed backinto the brackets 28 and the lid 22 is removed. The resulting concreteis now ready to be used.

[0039] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operationof the present invention, the same should be apparent from the abovedescription. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the mannerof usage and operation will be provided.

[0040] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realizedthat the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of theinvention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to bewithin the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalentstructural variations and relationships to those illustrated in thedrawings and described in the specification are intended to beencompassed by the present invention.

[0041] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only ofthe principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modificationsand changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

I claim:
 1. An instant concrete system, comprising: a container havingan inner wall, an outer wall, an open top end and a sealed bottom end; aconcrete mix stored within said container; a bag of water stored atopsaid concrete mix within said container; and a covering lid affixable tosaid top end of said container.
 2. The instant concrete system of claim1, wherein said container is tapered from the said top end to saidbottom end.
 3. The instant concrete system of claim 1, wherein saidcontainer has an arcuate projection along said inner wall from said topend to said bottom end of said container.
 4. The instant concrete systemof claim 1, wherein said container includes a pair of brackets affixedto said outer wall of said container.
 5. The instant concrete system ofclaim 4, including a handle which is insertable into said pair ofbrackets.
 6. The instant concrete system of claim 1, wherein saidcontainer is made of plastic.
 7. The instant concrete system of claim 1,wherein said covering lid is made of plastic.
 8. The instant concretesystem of claim 1, wherein said bag is made of plastic.
 9. An instantconcrete system, comprising: a container having an inner wall, an outerwall, an open top end and a sealed bottom end; a pair of bracketsaffixed to said outer wall of said container; a handle which isinsertable into said pair of brackets; a plurality of arcuateprojections along said inner wall from said top end to said bottom endof said container; a concrete mix stored within said container; a bag ofwater stored atop said concrete mix within said container; and acovering lid affixable to said top end of said container.
 10. Theinstant concrete system of claim 9, wherein said container is taperedfrom the said top end to said bottom end.
 11. The instant concretesystem of claim 9, wherein said container is made of plastic.
 12. Theinstant concrete system of claim 9, wherein said covering lid is made ofplastic.
 13. The instant concrete system of claim 9, wherein said bag ismade of plastic.
 14. A method of making concrete using a containerhaving an inner wall, an outer wall, an open top end and a sealed bottomend; a pair of brackets affixed to said outer wall of said container; ahandle which is insertable into said pair of brackets; a plurality ofarcuate projections along said inner wall from said top end to saidbottom end of said container; a concrete mix stored within saidcontainer; a bag of water stored atop said concrete mix within saidcontainer; and a covering lid affixable to said top end of saidcontainer, said method comprising the following steps: (a) detachingsaid handle from said brackets; (b) removing said lid from saidcontainer; (c) puncturing said bag with said handle; (d) pouring saidwater into said concrete mix; (e) replacing said lid securely to saidtop end of said container; and (f) moving said container so that saidconcrete mix and said water are thoroughly mixed together.